Kjell T Pettersen

Former Norwegian diplomat and army officer. Most recently N ambassador to ASEAN. Good knowledge of geopolitics and international affairs. Views my own.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

You are very welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Your freedom fight is also ours. #Ukrainy

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

I have arrived in Oslo. Important meetings are scheduled, as well as the signing of a bilateral document that will help strengthen our security. Ahead are talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, meetings with Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and with Norwegian parliamentarians.

We continue active diplomacy with our partners for the sake of protecting lives and bringing closer a real and guaranteed peace.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Worth noticing @thejointstaff @NorwegianArmy

[The Joint Staff 🇺🇸 @thejointstaff]

On behalf of the Joint Force and the Joint Chiefs, we extend our deepest gratitude to Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy George, for his decades of steadfast service to our nation. Since 1988, General George and his family have consistently answered the nation’s call with honor and dedication. We are profoundly thankful to General George and his wife, Patty, for their many years of sacrifice and devotion to those who serve. As they graduate from this distinguished chapter of service and look toward the future, we wish them both continued happiness and success in all that lies ahead.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

To be listened to, good analysis @SpencerGuard

[John Spencer @SpencerGuard]

https://t.co/m9fLDjkjWA

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

A piece of writing by @WillManidis on #Norway worth reading.

[Will Manidis @WillManidis]

https://t.co/evMDoeR1Rg

[Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQ]

‘Each time I visit Norway, I see the evidence of a deeper and deeper partnership between our two nations’

Russia now poses the most significant threat to security in the Arctic and the High North since the end of the Cold War.

That’s why, together with our Norwegian allies, we are committed to strengthening security and stability across this region.

We train together.
We operate together.
We deter together.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

A good example set by MP @AlistairCarns Never heard that a Norwegian MP has volunteered for reservist training. @Forsvarsdep @Stortinget @Arbeiderpartiet @Hoyre @frp_no @Venstre @Senterpartiet @Raudt @krf_norge @Partiet @sosialist

[Al Carns @AlistairCarns]

I am currently on Reservist training. Here in Norway with the Royal Marine Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron. Dusting off some old skills and drills in the Arctic Circle. It’s -18C but still workable for insertion skills.

Norway is not just a strategic ally it’s a geopolitical partnership. With Russian submarine and naval activity in the North Atlantic increasing by over 30% in the past two years we need to increasingly work together.

Lunar House is our bilateral agreement with the Norwegians and it’s going from strength to strength.

This is the biggest deployment of Marines to the high north in some time.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

The UK @YvetteCooperMP and Norwegian @EspenBarthEide Foreign Ministers visiting my home town in North Norway, Øverbygd and Mauken. #Arctic #NATO @FCDOGovUK @Commando_Ops @NorwayMFA

[Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide]

UK & Norway stand shoulder to shoulder in the #Arctic.

UK Royal Marines are expanding training in Norway, strengthening a partnership grounded in the North Atlantic Treaty & our shared commitment to security and
stability.
Thank you for vitsing Bardufoss, @YvetteCooperMP! 🇬🇧🤝🇳🇴

[Carl Bildt @carlbildt]

This is significant. Deripaska is a very heavy 🇷🇺 business player, who while he’s unlikely to have been supportive of the Putin war so far has stayed loyal. Now it looks as if he’s slowly breaking away from the Kremlin.

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Re EU loan to Ukraine and use of frozen Russian assets. Well explained by @JorgeLiboreiro @euronews

[Jorge Liboreiro @JorgeLiboreiro]

The question now: Does this mean good news for the reparations loan?

Approving Article 122 is definitely a step forward but the core proposal of the loan is still up for grabs. Belgium has filed dozens of pages of amendments and wants guarantees to be essentially open-ended.

[Norwegian Ministry of Defence @Forsvarsdep]

🇳🇴🇬🇧Norway and the United Kingdom today signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement 🤝

The agreement provides for closer integration between Norwegian and British forces, cooperation on frigates, and joint drone projects in the High North.

British forces will assume a larger role in Norway’s defence, with increased presence and more training of British Royal Marines in this country. Consideration will also be given to the pre-positioning of British equipment and ammunition in Norway.

'By maintaining a greater presence in Norway, the British Royal Marines will become more closely integrated into Norway’s defence, and they will be able to come swiftly to our aid should a crisis or wartime situation arise,' said Minister of Defence @toreosa - – who signed the agreement while visiting his counterpart @JohnHealey_MP in London today.

The agreement is named after the Scottish headquarters of the Norwegian resistance during the Second World War – Lunna House in the Shetland Isles – the agreement builds on 75 years of UK-Norway defence cooperation – both founding NATO members.

Photos: @DefenceHQ / Norwegian MoD

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

https://t.co/90SEhspufQ

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Experience tells a lot and has to be listened to @Billbrowder

[Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder]

The Wall Street Journal alleges that the real motivation behind Trump’s eagerness to force Ukraine into an ugly surrender is the idea that a lot of people close to him can make a lot of money doing business and deals in Russia.

If this is true, beyond the disgusting morality of this and the huge geopolitical risks that it creates, none of these people salivating over their future riches are going to make a penny, and perhaps do a lot worse.

I was once the largest foreign investor in Russia and I can say with certainty that the Russians aren’t going to let anyone profit in any way. They will talk nice at the outset to attract the investment, but once it’s there, they will steal, defraud, arrest, torture or even kill to make sure that no American makes any money. I’ve seen it so many times it’s almost universal.

So, this shocking initiative is not only terrible policy, it’s spectacularly stupid business.

https://t.co/2RvCkY1iGb

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Well spoken again by @alexstubb #Finland knows what the war in #Ukraine is about, changing the global order by force. @World_At_War_6

[Global Strategy @World_At_War_6]

"FINLAND IS READY FOR WAR"

Finland's military strategy emphasizes robust national defense, built on a conscription system and a large, well-trained reserve force, to ensure they can defend the country independently.

While Finland has joined NATO to strengthen its own security and contribute to the alliance's stability, its core defense doctrine remains centered on self-reliance and the ability to act alone if necessary.

While Finnish President Alexander Stubb does not state it plainly in this interview, Finland is ready to confront Russia in a conflict.

Unfortunately, it is one of the scarce nations in Europe that has the needed capacity.

Many countries in Europe are reliant on military intervention from the United States.

🇫🇮Finnish President Alexander Stubb:👇

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Worth reading @robin_j_brooks A perspective to be reflected on.

[Robin Brooks @robin_j_brooks]

Countries like Sweden and the other Nordics are bearing a disproportionate burden in supporting Ukraine, while Italy and Spain contribute almost nothing. It’s way beyond time to call this out. If you say you have fiscal space, why are you not contributing? https://t.co/qEXjdradld

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

A good thread to be updated on the situation in #Ukraine️ and a recommended X account @KofmanMichael to follow.

[Michael Kofman @KofmanMichael]

An update on the war following a recent trip. Ukrainian forces are holding, but the situation has worsened since July due to mounting offensive pressure. Here I cover some of the negative and positive trends, along with the salient dynamics at the front. Long thread. 1/

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

I find the reporting by @Reuters to be one of the best on geopolitics.

[Reuters @Reuters]

A remark by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that a Chinese attack on democratically ruled Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo has ignited a diplomatic spat with Beijing, as Japan departs from its long-held strategic ambiguity https://t.co/DbJ4k03c4F

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Very correct, China can stop the war in Ukraine if they so want. @elinavaltonen @BBC

[Elina Valtonen @elinavaltonen]

As we see it in Europe, China should use its leverage to convince Russia to end its war of aggression in Ukraine.

Thank you @BBC for the interview!

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Well analyzed and spoken by #Singapore Prime Minister Wong - I agree.

[Tymofiy Mylovanov @Mylovanov]

Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong: We are in a messy transition to a post-American multipolar world.

China is a risen power that will not converge with Western norms. Europe must step up as a major power in its own right — or risk being sidelined in the new global order. 0/

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

Important to honor the past @TheParachuteReg @NATO

[Kjell T Pettersen @KTPettersen]

This article is a good read @ForeignAffairs @StewartMPatrick

[Foreign Affairs @ForeignAffairs]

.@StewartMPatrick explains why the West is splitting apart—and warns that “the passing of the West as a meaningful entity will come with great loss”:
https://t.co/kQGwWpjLbf